WHITTIER >> City water rates are going up again, from 4.5 to 6 percent over the next two years.

The City Council Tuesday voted 5-0 in favor of the increase. The city received 17 letters opposing the increase, and four people spoke against it at the meeting.

Two years ago, the council raised rates by more than $12 a month, but this time the increase will be significantly less.

The price hike will be rolled out in two installments — the first, a 13-cent increase per billing unit (748 gallons) that will go in effect this August, and a second 10-cent increase in August 2018. That will mean the total price per billing unit will jump to $1.99. The city expects to take in about $400,000.

For a typical user of about 12 units over a month, residents will pay an extra $1.56 the first year. A larger user with 50 units over the same period will see their bill go up by $6.50.

Public Works Director David Schickling said the rate increase is needed because the city’s cost to acquire water is going up.

“It’s tied directly to the costs we pay to Main San Gabriel Water Basin Water Master and the Water Replenishment District,” Schickling said.

The water master board at its May 3 meeting will consider doubling its existing water resources development assessment from $20 to $40 per acre foot of water pumped. For Whittier that could be a more than $70,000 increase.

Tony Zampiello, the executive officer of the water master, said the money will be used to purchase more water to recharge the underground basin that is at a historic lows as a result of California’s years-long drought.

The replenishment district, which performs a similar role in the southern Los Angeles County area also may raise its rates from $297 per acre foot to $318, said Schickling. Its board is expected to act at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Still, several residents spoke against the rate increase during Tuesday’s public hearing.

“It seems to me that as a senior citizen on a fixed income … I don’t have any control,” said Tony Couisomo. “I just look at my bill and it’s gone up again. There’s enough money in he city general treasury to offset the costs.” Councilman Bob Henderson said the rate increase isn’t that much.

“We’re making sure the aquifer is charged and there is water available when you need it,” Henderson said. “It’s a great bargain when compared to all your other rates. Look at your cable television or your cell phones. You’d never notice if it went up a dollar a month.”

The city serves about 11,350 properties in the city, mostly west of Ocean View Avenue. Suburban Water Services serves the rest of Whittier.

Mike Sprague started at the Whittier Daily News in April 1984. Since then, Sprague has covered every city in the Whittier Daily News circulation area, as well as political and water issues. Sprague received a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in political science, both from Cal State Fullerton.